MALDEN Globe North 9/18/08
REFINING TRASH FEES - The City Council may consider offering limited exemptions from the pay-as-you-throw trash fee for residents who live in poverty or are age 62 or older. The council's Ordinance Committee is studying the impact exemptions would have on the city budget. Other proposals discussed by the committee include offering residents the opportunity to purchase fewer trash bags, or smaller ones. As the program is currently envisioned, 33-gallon trash bags would be sold in boxes of 10, with each box costing $20. The Ordinance Committee has discussed adding a 15-gallon trash bag and selling them in smaller quantities. The program is scheduled to go into effect Oct. 6, and is expected to generate $2.5 million in revenue this fiscal year and save the city an additional $400,000 in disposal charges as residents increase their recycling efforts. For information, call 781-397-7186 or e-mail gro.nedlamfoytic|liam#gro.nedlamfoytic|liam. - Brenda J. Buote